RIO DE JANEIRO – The surviving members of Argentina’s once-extensive Nazi war criminal community find themselves torn over whom to cheer for in Sunday’s World Cup final between their adopted homeland and their native Germany.
“It’s like that movie Sophie’s Choice,” says 96 year-old Heinrich Krause. “Except not hilarious. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I almost wish one of the teams had Jews on it so I’d at least know who not to cheer for.”
A proud native of Hamburg, Krause fled to Buenos Aires in 1945 “for no reason whatsoever,” and has lived there ever since. He says the South American nation’s passion for soccer and military dictatorships made him feel so at home that he’s felt absolutely no need to return to his homeland.
“It’s certainly not for any other reason,” he adds, completely unsolicited.
Regardless of who wins, Krause says he’d bet his vast fortune of “totally legitimately acquired” gold that Sunday’s final will be one soccer fans will treasure “for thousand years to come.”
